FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, 415-554-6131

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MAYOR LONDON BREED ANNOUNCES RISING UP CAMPAIGN TO HOUSE AND SECURE EMPLOYMENT FOR HOMELESS YOUTH

New public-private partnership aims to provide housing and jobs for 500 homeless youth and prevent homelessness for an additional 450 at-risk youth

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced the launch of the Rising Up Campaign, which aims to provide housing and jobs for homeless youth.

The campaign will serve 500 Transition Age Youth (TAY) who are experiencing homelessness, as well as prevent homelessness for another 450 at-risk TAY, as part of San Francisco’s efforts to cut youth homelessness in half by 2022. The City has made an initial investment of $6 million to the campaign, and the non-profit Tipping Point Community has committed an additional $3 million.

“Early intervention to help our youth homeless population off the streets and into housing is key to preventing long-term homelessness,” said Mayor Breed. “The Rising Up Campaign brings together City resources and our non-profit partners to provide services to connect these folks with housing and employment to set them on the right track for the future.”

Rising Up will utilize a combination of services and subsidies known as Rapid Rehousing, which is nationally recognized as a best practice for addressing homelessness. Participants will receive support to find a home in the private market and be provided with move-in assistance, such as a security deposit and home furnishing. They will be provided with an average monthly rent subsidy of $750 for up to three years and receive personal case management services to help them find and maintain employment. As participants’ income increases, the rent subsidy will decrease until it is no longer required.

“50 percent of all chronic homeless individuals become homeless before their 25th birthday,” said Daniel Lurie, CEO and Founder of Tipping Point Community. "It's critical to support programs that provide interventions earlier in life. We are proud to help kickstart this initiative and deepen our partnership with Larkin Street and the City of San Francisco to cut homelessness for transitional aged youth in half."  

The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing will work to identify and refer eligible youth participants to non-profit service providers, track progress and coordinate and support work with other City departments, including the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Department of Youth Children and their Families, the Human Services Agency, the Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Unified School District. Each department will bring their specific expertise and resources to the Rising Up Campaign to empower youth with access to jobs, training opportunities, and health and educational resources. The Human Services Agency will also work to identify eligible youth currently in foster care.

“I would like to thank all of the City departments, non-profit youth providers, funders and key private sector partners  who are coming together in service of our youth,” said Jeff Kositsky, director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.  “We know that our youth are resilient and capable; working together we will meet their grit and determination with housing and job opportunities.”

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association and Hotel Council have committed to help identify jobs for youth in the City’s thriving hospitality sector. REDF, a venture-philanthropy organization, has also committed to placing Rising Up youth in supported employment opportunities in social enterprises throughout the City. Larkin Street Youth Services will serve as the fiscal sponsor for Rising Up and work with a network of youth providers, including Huckleberry Youth Services, First Place for Youth, 3^rd Street Youth Center and Clinic, SF LGBT Center, New Door Ventures, Lyric, Young Community Developers and Young Women’s Freedom Center, to help ensure that eligible participants are being connected to housing and jobs. San Francisco is currently seeking an additional $21 million in governmental and philanthropic support as well as additional funding, jobs and apartments from the private sector. 

"No young person should have to sleep on the street,” said Sherilyn Adams, Executive Director of Larkin Street Youth Services. “We are beyond excited that the City is taking this huge stand by investing significant resources on proven, sustainable strategies to reduce youth homelessness at least 50% over the next three years. This is also an investment in preventing chronic homelessness because we know that half of homeless people in San Francisco first experienced homelessness before the age of 25. Rising Up will make a difference in the long term and today."

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